About "bathrobes" in the DFB game: Sandro Wagner's comment causes trouble

Sandro Wagner is valued as an opinionated TV expert, but during the German World Cup game against Spain the 34-year-old misinterpreted the tone.

About "bathrobes" in the DFB game: Sandro Wagner's comment causes trouble

Sandro Wagner is valued as an opinionated TV expert, but during the German World Cup game against Spain the 34-year-old misinterpreted the tone. The former professional soccer player describes the traditional robe as "Qatari bathrobes". The ZDF reacts to the criticism.

The 1-1 draw not only gives the German national soccer team a chance to advance, but also an outstanding rating on linear television. 17.05 million fans watch ZDF, a market share of almost 50 percent. Criticism mixed in with the joy about the great interest and the averted early retirement. The focus is on Sandro Wagner because of a comment in the 79th minute of the game.

The long-time professional, now full-time trainer of the regional league team SpVgg Unterhaching and during the World Cup as an opinionated TV expert, is in the opinion of many wrong in the tone. "I thought before that the whole corner was full of Germany fans," says the 34-year-old, "then I realized it was the Qatari bathrobes." By that he meant the traditional, long white robes that many men also wear in the stadium. Den Thawb, also called Dishdasha in Qatar.

On Twitter, probably the fastest and most direct communication channel at such moments, Wagner's statement was sharply criticized. Karla Borger, world-class beach volleyball player and President of the Athletes Germany Association, documents the wording. Based on this, the former striker and international is accused of, among other things, disrespect for the traditional garb, i.e. a disparagement of the Thawb. Occasionally, Wagner's supposedly funny saying is also classified as racist - and ZDF reacts to the criticism.

The broadcaster answered several tweets with the same wording via the official "Sportstudio" account: "Sandro Wagner's statement about the Thawb unfortunately happened in an emotional phase of the game. It shouldn't. We'll discuss it." How it could continue after this meeting is open. Wagner himself has not yet commented on his verbal error.